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.K. E. PEILER APPARATUS FOR FEEDING MOLTEN GLASS.

May 30,1933.-

1922. 2 Sheets-Sheet. 1

Filed March 14 Q Inventor,

' KarlEPez'Zer y 9 K. E; PEILER AP PARATUS FOR FEEDING MOLTEN GLASS Fild March 1'4 1922 V 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 v [72062250711 ZfarZ E Pez'Zer A my.

Patented May 30; 1933 UNITED STATES KARL E..PEILER, OF WEST HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO HARTFORD-EMPIRE COMPANY, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, A. CORPO- nn'rxon or DELAWARE APPARATUS iron rnnnrne monrnn GLASS Application am much 14, 1922. Serial no.54s,571.

This invention relates to theartijof feeding molten glass in masses of variable sizes and shapes suitable for charging the molds of a glass shaping machine, the object be- 6 ing .to provide a new and improved apparatus for segregating and forming the glass into successive, suspended mold charges of predetermined'controllable and variable size and shape.

In this invention an ultimate and continuous control of the volume of flow for regulating the size of the mold charges may be applied close to and directly associated with the re ulation of the graduated and varying disc arge of the glass to form gathers or moldcharges of the desired shape. Both of these regulating functions may be exercised within a limited zone, over which the desired temperature control can alsobe exercised most eifectively 'and uniformly. It also enables the method to be applied in practice by apparatus having a single movable implement, such as a plunger, which by its positions and movements controls 2 both the size and the varied shaping of the resultant mold charges.

A preferred embodiment of the apparatus is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of the apparatus including a part of the forehearth of a glass furnace;

Fig. 2 is an elevation partly in section, looking from the left of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatlc view illustrating graphically the improved method of re tarding or interrupting or accelerating the flow of glass from the outlet of a container; Figs. 4 and 5 are diagrammatic views illustrating the diflerence in the rate of discharge of glass from two passages of the same diameter but of different lengths;

Figs. 6 to 10 are diagrammatic views showing various adjustments of the apparatus; and

Figs. 11 to 14 are elevation viewsillustrating some variations in shape of mold charges movement of the rod will accelerate the flow' and upward movement will retard the flow in proportion to the rapidity of -movement,

which may be made rapid enough to stop or reverse the gravity flow. v

The efiect of resistance to the flow through passages of difl'erent lengths is illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, in both of which the passage is of the same diameter. The increased frictional resistance of the longer passageway to the flowof the glass will reduce the amount of glass discharged therethrough, 'so' that in the same unit of time a longer passage will discharge a proportionately smaller amount than would be discharged through the shorter passage of Fig. 4, as indicated by the relative sizes of the gathers 10 and 11. 4

According to this invention these principles are combined and applied by a unitary structure in which the plunger performs the double function ofregulatin the volume of flow to control the size 0 the gathers, and of efi'ectin their periodic discharge and suspension in the desired. form or shape. I

c The glass is caused to flow through a per-' 'manently open annular passageway within a well surroundinga movable implement, such as a plunger, some portion of which always remains within the well, or within controlling relation to the annular passageway, and thus continuously controls the flow of glass .therethrough, and also prevents or controls regurgitation of the glass through the passage while the plunger is performing its charge shaping function to be described later. The volume of flow is. regulated by the flow resistance in the annular passage the length of which is varied by the positions and movements of the plunger. In general the resistance to flow is least when the passage is shortest, that is when plunger is at or near its highest position, and is greatest when the passage is longest, that is when the plunger is at or near its lowest position. This generality is modified by the movements of the plunger, the resistance to downward flow being increased by the upward movements of the plunger, and decreased by its downward movement, since'the plunger tends to carry with it the glass adhering to and adjacent to its outer surface. By proper adjustmentsand correlations of the movements, positions and periods of dwell of the plunger, the volume of flow of glass is regulatedand varied to the desired extent. 4

Along with its function of controlling the size of the mold charges by regulating serves as a means for. controlling the shape of the mold char e by varying in a cyclic order the rate 0 discharge from the well through the outlet. A suspended gather of glass has a natural tendency to attenuate, due to and increasing with its weight. By varying the timing, length and rapidity of the plunger movements, they are adapted to utilize and direct that tendency, lessening the discharge and thus allowing the gather to attenuate at selected portionsof its length as in Figs. 11 and 14, or counteracting and compensating for that tendenc by increasing the discharge, and thus fil ing or swelling out all or any desired portion or portions of the length of the gather as in Figs. 12 and 13.

An important element in the proper performance of this shaping function is the continuous control of the flow resistance through the annular inflow passage,-whereb not only the proper amount of mitted to the well, but is there impounded. and its regurgitation through the passage prevented or controlled, so that the effects of the plunger movements, throughout their length, are controllably directed to their discharging and shape controlling function. Any regurgitation that may occur through the inflow passage, due to the plunger pressure, will be uniform for any given cycle of plunger movements, and may be compensated by allowing a corresponding increase in each inflow, by increasing the length of time that the plunger is tions. v

Co-action between the movements of the plunger and of the shears is also utilized for in its higher posithe L are cutting through the gather,

the volume of flow to the well. the plunger also lass isa toward and. from the dischar shaping the gathers, particularly at their end portions. Arrest, retardation or retraction' of the discharge from the outlet prior to severance may be made to produce a necking of any desired extent between two succeeding gathers, as illustrated in Fig. 14, thus affecting the shape of both gathers. Or by retracting the glass while the shears the glass above the shearing plane will be lifted away from the shear blades progressively as it is released by the cutting action, thus pointing or rounding the'end of the remaining stub, and thereby giving initial formation to the lower end of the succeeding ther. By continuing retraction or retar ation after the shears have cut, a further influence may be exerted on the shape of the lower portion of the succeedin gather. These and other results desirable in practice may be obtained by suitable adjustments and correlations of the timing and movements of the plunger and shears.

After the severance, the stub may be drawn upwardly more or less to or into the outlet or well to reheat or knead or otherwise shape or reshape the end of the stub, as may be desirable for the end of thesucceeding mold charge. The time and extent of this retraction is determined by the u ward movements of the plunger. If t e plunger is moved up rapidly before the inflowing glass from above has time to flow down gaest the plunger, and thus occup the space low the plunger, the stub wi be drawn up farther into the outlet or well.

A practical-embodiment of the apparatus for carrying out these methods, may be incorporated with any suitable container for molten glass such, for example,.as a forehearth 17 connected with the usual lass melting tank. The bottom of the orehearth is provided with a well 18, the lower end of which is part1 closed by an outlet rin 19 forming a charge outlet from which the gathers of glass are suspended for the severance of the mold charges. A plunger '20 projects through the glass in the forehearth into is provided for reciprocating the plunger e outlet, 'so that its end acts within the we] as a piston, of which the viscous glass serves as a packing. The movement of the plunger is such that its lower end always remains within the well to retain its control of the flow, and

does not in normal operation approach the outlet ring 19 sufliciently close to operate as a plug or stopper to throttle the discharge of glass through the outlet. This provides a imified and continuous control over the moliiements of theglass'into and out of the we Mechanism is shown in the drawings, fer actuating the plunger 20, which is secured the well 18 and mechanism by a clamp 21 to the lower end of a screw 22 sliding throu h a hole in the hub of a bracket 23. he lunger may be adjusted relative to the bracket and the forehearth, by hand nuts 24 en aging the screw above and below the'hub the bracket. held from rotation when the hand nuts are turned, by a pin 25 engaging a spline 26 in the, screw. The bracket 23' is slidably' mounted in vertical ways 27 attached to the casing 28 of the forehearth. The bracket and its plan er are reciprocated vertically by a cam 31 t rough connections comprlsing a bell crank 32 mounted on a fixed stud 33 and having a roll 34 engaging the cam. The horizontal arm of the ell crank is slotted at 35 and adjustably connected with the hand wheel 39. B this construction the of the well and the upper limit of the connection between t e link and the bell crank may be adjusted toward or from the pivot of the crank, while the machinecontinues in operation, thus varying the efiective levera e and therefore the length of stroke of t e plunger.

In order that the length of stroke of the plunger may be changed without changing its lowest position, the slot 35 is preferably an are, having its centerat 29 when the plunger is down.

The cam 31 is removably mounted on the driving shaft 40 so that it may be replaced by other cams for varying the plunger movements to suit different sizes and shapes of mold'char es. A different cam may be used for any ifierent size and shape of mold charge, the contour of each cam being adapted to im art the required cycle of movements and dwell to the plunger.

Any well-known form of severing means may be employed for severin the mold charges in timed relation to it eir. formation. Shear blades, such as 41, shown in the drawings, may be operated through suitable connections with cams or other actuating means on or driven by the shaft 40.

The several steps in the method will be best understood from an inspection of Figs.- 6 to 10. In Fig. 6 the extreme positions of the plunger are shown b full and broken lises indicating a stroke aving a length 2:, and the minimum distance between .thia'top unger stroke is indicated -by A plunger movement 'ofthe length '2! and the frictional The screw is flow resisting passage of the minimum length 3 produces a gather of a certain size and shape which may be assumed to be that shown at 9 (Fig. 2). The retardation, cessation or retraction of the discharge of glass at the outlet is produced by the upstroke of the plunger, which also afi'ects the fiowof glass through the annular passage surroundmg the plunger, as determined by the relative proportions of the parts and speed of the plunger movements.

A heavier mold charge may be obtained by adjusting the hand wheels 2 t so that the plunger operates in a higher zone,'as' shown in Fig. 7. Here the length of plunger stroke on remains the same but the minimum length 3 of the annular passage has been reduced, so as to offer less resistance to the flow of glass and thereby permit a more rapid flow through the passage and hence a heavier gather in the same period of time.

An adjustment forproducing a lighter mold charge as compared with Fig. 6, is shown in Fig. 8 where the hand wheel24 has been adjusted to lower the zone of reciprocation of the plunger. .This lengthens the distance 3 thereby reducing the rate of How, of the lass, while the length m of the plunger stro e remains constant.

A lighter mold charge may be produced also by the adjustment of Fig. 9, in which the length a: of the plunger movement has been reduced b adjustment of the link 36 in the slot 35. Fig. 1). This increases the length 3 of the annular passage and the combined result is a lighter charge than in Fig. 6 but of a different sha e from that produced by the adjustment 0 Fig. 8.

The adjustment shown in Fig. 10 produces a heavier mold charge than that of Fig. 6. In this figure the shortened flow passage permits a greater flow of the lass, while the Inn er plunger stroke a: roduces a larger disp acement or piston e ect.

For eater convenience and definiteness in making the adjustments, it is found desirable to change the shape of the mold charges mainly by changing the length m.

of the plunger stroke, and to change their size mainly b the height adjustment by the hand whee 24.

In the embodiment of this invention herein shown and described, the annular passage between the plunger and the well is re garded as the flow resisting passage, since the flow resistance of thatpassa e exceeds the flow resistance in the well elow the plunger so greatl that the latter resistance may be disregar ed for all practical pur- The dimensions of the-plunger, well and orifice should, within reasonable limits, be proportioned and adapted to each other, and to the size and'shape of the desired mold charge. Any particular embodiment may by the adjustments above described be changed to produce a fairly wide range of sizes and shapes, but as in other apparatus for feeding glass, it is not expected that any single embodiment will be capable of producing all sizes andshapes.

The sizes and proportions of the well and orifice ring maybe changed by the use of removable and interchangeable outlet r gs, g,0

, and bushin s of different sizes and len or both of them, may, however, be tapere or flared within limits which permit the plunger to perform its functions described above without losing constant control of the flow resisting capacity of its surrounding annular passage, and thereby or in any other way losing or lessening constant control of the discharge throu h the outlet, with consequent loss or lessemng of control of the shape of the gathers.

' Any well-known means, such as an adjustable gate or plug, may be employed for regulating the flow of the molten glass into the container here shown from the melting furnace or other source of -supply, thereby varying the de th and consequent hydrostatic head oft e glass above the well and outlet.

In other ways within the knowledge and skill of those practiced in this art,-the embodiment herein shown may be modified within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

1. Apparatus for feeding molten glass for mold charges, having in combination. a container for the glass provided with a submerged well terminating'in a permanently open discharge outlet, a plunger projecting constantly into the well and spaced from the walls thereof to provide an annular passageway therethrough having substantially the same cross sectional area at all positions of the plunger, and means for periodically lifting the plunger to retardthe flow of glass to the discharge outlet.

2. Apparatus for separating molten glass into mold charges, having in combinationa container for the lass provided with a submerged well terminating in a discharge outlet, a plunger projecting constantly into the well and spaced from the walls thereof to provide an annular passageway therethrough, having substantially the same cross sectional area in all positions of the plunger, means for periodically lifting the plunger to retard the flow of glass to the discharge outlet, and means for adjusting the extent of the lifting movement of the plunger while its lower position remains constant.

plunger, by lengthening or shortening the upped end of its path.

4. .Apparatus' for separating molten glass into mold charges including in combination a container for the glass having a. submerged well terminating in a discharge outlet, a plunger projecting constantly into the well and spaced from the walls thereof to form an annular passage of constant cross area, means for reciprocating the plunger within the well while maintaining the cross area of the passage, and means for adjusting the path of reciprocation of the plunger.

5. Apparatus for separating molten glass into mold charges including in combination a container for the glass having a submerged well terminating in a discharge outlet, a plunger projecting constantly into the well and spaced therefrom to form an annular passageway of constant cross area in the well, an adjustable carriage for supporting and reciprocating the plunger, and means for imparting a variable rate of motion to the carriage to cause the plunger to discharge mold charges of predetermined shape and wei ht from the outlet.

6. Apvaratus for separating molten glass into mold charges, having in combination a container for the glass provided with a submerged cylindrical well, a longer having a cylindrical portion projecting constantlv into the well, means for reciprocating said plunger at a speed varying during each reciprocation, and means for adjusting the path of travel of the lower end of the plunger between a fixed low level and variable upper'levels within the well, whereb mold charges of glass having predetermined shape and weight are discharged from the outlet in the well.

7. Apparatus for feeding molten glass comprising a container for the glass having a vertical discharge well communicating at itslower end with an outlet of smaller div justing the path of reciprocation of the ameter than said well, a vertical plunger having a vertical-sided lower end projecting permanently into said well and spaced from the walls thereof, means for vertically reciprocating said plunger, means for varying the timing. length and rapidity of the reciprocations of said plunger, means for varying the vertical position of said plunger with respect to said well, and shears meeting periodically beneath said outlet in timed relation to the movements of said plunger, for severing mold charges from the glass discharged from said outlet.

Signed at Hartford, Connecticut, this 10th day of March, 1922.

Y KARL E. PEILER. 

